IN BRIEF

MOTOR SPORTS

Aggressive Ambrose wins at Watkins Glen

Hard-charging Marcos Ambrose passed series points leader Kyle Busch with a daring move through the chicane Saturday and won the Nationwide Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International for the second straight year.

It was the 10th consecutive top-two finish in Nationwide for Busch, breaking the series record set by Jack Ingram in 1983.

Carl Edwards was third, followed by pole sitter Kevin Harvick and Canadian road racer Ron Fellows.

Also: IndyCar points leader Ryan Briscoe captured the pole for today's Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, in Lexington, Ohio.

Briscoe turned in a lap of 121.905 mph over the winding 2.258-mile course, narrowly beating out Justin Wilson to take his third pole of the season.

NFL

First-round pick Curry signs with Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks signed first-round draft choice Aaron Curry to a deal believed to guarantee the star linebacker from Wake Forest $34 million, a person familiar with the deal said.

The contract is the richest for a rookie nonquarterback in NFL history and has a maximum value of $60 million.

Also: Philadelphia Eagles rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram has a torn ligament in his left knee and is probably out for the season.

The Denver Broncos placed defensive lineman J'Vonne Parker on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Receiver Roddy White agreed to a contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons.

Several media reports said White worked out a six-year deal worth about $50 million, including $18 million in guaranteed money.

The Cleveland Browns released veteran defensive lineman Shaun Smith. He played two seasons with Cleveland after signing as a free agent in 2007.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been excused from training camp for an undisclosed family matter.

Saints coach Sean Payton declined to give any details and said he was unsure when Brees would return.

MISCELLANEOUS

U.S. Women's Open bowling field narrowed

Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, and Shanon Pluhowsky of Phoenix moved into today's semifinals of the U.S. Women's Open at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center.

Boomershine beat Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia 216-202 to advance, and Pluhowsky downed Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., 236-142.

The two will be joined in today's championship round by two semifinalists to be determined from quarterinal matches at noon and 2 p.m.

Also: Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis agreed to a four-year deal to become coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN reported.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick advanced to today's final of the ATP Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-5 victory over fellow American John Isner.

Roddick, trying to win the title for the fourth time, will play second-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, a 7-6 (2), 6-3 semifinal winner over Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

France's Flavia Pennetta reached the finals of the WTA Los Angeles Championships in Carson, Calif., with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Maria Sharapova of Russia.

Flavia will meet Samantha Stosur of Australia, a 6-3, 6-2 semifinal winner over Sorana Cirstea of Romania, in today's title match.